My little secret...

Well it's out.  On facebook at least.  So maybe I should put something up here... You know... this is a time where I should have had something prepared.  Unfortunately I have been waaaay too busy.  Even today!  Among all the craziness I've held onto my little secret for near on three months!  THREE MONTHS!!!  Not even my family know... well hubby did.  He saw the parcels and packages arriving and was a tad curious...

So what is my secret?

I can proudly announce that I am a 2012 Scrapbooking Memories Master!! 

One of ten amazing people throughout Australia!  My nine fellow Master's are so amazing ... well.. I do kind of feel insignificant.  And I am not just saying that! :) I really do wonder at why I was chosen.  I did love my entry but I was in complete turmoil when I sent it off.  Two days before the due date.

Mark told me to do it.  He actually organised it all for me to sit down and finish the job.  Especially when I didn't have the heart to enter it anymore.  He was my rock.  So I thank him for pushing me.

Don't get me wrong.  I am absolutely thrilled.  So thrilled that when I received that phone call from Cassie at Scrapbooking Memories, I cried.  Sorry.  True story.  :)  She may have been a little surprised! hee hee... It has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride.  You see, my Dad had passed away in the middle of all this.  I was so keen to enter for the first time this year (previous years I had had no confidence), that I had two layouts completed right from the very start.  Then we went away on our holiday.  And immediately as we returned home, we got the devastating news about Dad.

So my heart wasn't in it.  At that time.

I don't want to come across as ungrateful.  I am in shock.  Even after three months.  I am however, excited for what the next twelve months will bring.  I am ecstatic to meet new amazing people and learn from them.  I hope I can live up to the honor of being called a Master.  And most of all... I hope I can create some inspiration for you all to enjoy...x

Thanks for visiting.

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Dedicated in loving memory to my Dad....x

Create...

This month we are starting a little journaling challenge over at The Boxx blog for those of us who need a little prompting to write the story behind our scrapbooking layouts.

If you would like to play along, we are using (strangely enough!!) a prompt!  I am challenging you, during this very busy holiday season, to journal on our layouts.  The prompt is something we would like to...

It can be anything.  "Remember to" do, say or think about.

I want to "remember to" record the details.  Here's my layout based on the Creative Scrappers sketch #183:

[Remember]

products used:  cs- stampin' up; pp - Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Lane; alphas - Nikki Sivils; other - ink: Tim Holtz distress ink, shipping tags, machine stitching. 

This layout is based on memories from last year.  The little things I don't want to forget.  Especially since it was the last Christmas I had with my Dad.

I hope you will join in.  If not, you can at least check it out here...x  Thanks for visiting.

December Daily...(part 1)...

Hello Friends!  I am really excited to share my project this year.  One, because I have actually finished ALL the base pages before December rolls around... and Two, because this project was on my "want" to do list! LOL!

It is a simple little album this year.  Barely 5x5"... And the best part is... I haven't spent a single cent on it this year.  Everything was taken from my stash.  Isn't it amazing how much stuff you can find when you actually go looking for it!!  Who knew huh?!

Yes.  I was totally inspired by AE's white on white front cover look!  Who isn't in the scrapbooking world, inspired by that talented lady.

My page layout for the project was all about repetition.  I had to make it easy.  December is crazy, busy as it is.  I didn't need to make this more complicated than it needed to be.  Last year I had no idea what I was doing.  I thought I could keep up with it all... The truth is...  I haven't finished it.  Life got in the way.  I have the photos and I have the stories written down in a journal.  I am sooo grateful that I managed that part at least!  I know I can go back to it and complete it.

So this year I am hoping I have taken the "where am I going to put that photo?" and the "what size should I print this photo out?" questions off the table.  I know exactly where my photo is going.  Yep.  I have decided on just one photo a day.  It doesn't mean I wont find a place to add more... ;)  Even if they just go in, back to back and directly onto the jump rings.

One side of the album is dedicated to holding a 2x3" photo.  It will fit nicely in portrait or landscape, so at least I haven't limited myself completely! LOL!

And I have made sure that there is room for journaling.  Hand written stories. 

I didn't limit myself to a colour scheme either. As long as it looked Christmassy... I used it! hee hee.. And some papers, which are clearly more suited to the northern hemisphere (page 10), I altered with a few well placed stickers and alphas!! (It used to say... "Let it SNOW". Hmmm.. Not going to happen in Australia at Christmas time!).

You may have also noticed the banners... Well, because I am crazy about them this year, I thought I'd add them to my album! :D  Hopefully (if I manage to do more in the future..) I will add my fave technique or scrapping habits in little doses to each album I complete.

Those little numbers are cute aren't they.  They are from Pretty Little Studio.  I love them and am definitely ordering some more.  (These ones came in my DT pack!! YAY!!)

On a side note, some of the papers I used weren't double sided.  This was one of the things that tripped me up last year.  This time however, I just took out some stamps and took advantage of the blank canvas that was before me.  No more trying to find enough paper to complete both front and back.  No stitching either.  And as much as I love a good row or two of stitching...  I had to leave it out.  All part of keeping it simple for me!  :D

Yep.  I am definitely looking forward to completing this project.  Keeping it simple has freed me up to enjoy the process of story telling.  If you are doing a December Daily this year, please share a link in the comments.  I'd love to learn more about the processes you use.  Every bit of knowledge or an idea is always taken on board by me.  Sharing the creative process is a part of the fun!

Thanks so much for visiting...x

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products used: Maya Road chipboard album; pp - MLYB, Kaisercraft, MME, Fancy Pants, Pretty Little Studio, Nikki Sivils;  alpha - American Crafts thickers (powder blue, brown), Bella! Pink Paislee; other - PLS: number tags; shipping tags; ink: Tim Holtz, versacolor, Kaisercraft; string; Stampin' Up punch; clear stamps: Kaisercraft, Darkroom Door, Christmas Create.

Family...

Wow!  Is it Friday already???!  Seriously??!  I guess I have been busy this week not to see the days go by...  LOL!

Today I just wanted to share some photos for the family (and anyone else) to see.  It is all a bit of a blur at the moment and I've been meaning to post these photos all week..... (insert chirping cricket noise here)! :D

Last Sunday (see what I mean!!) we spent the afternoon at the beach.  It was a really nice break from the usual routine of housework, cooking and organising the kids for school the next day!  Of course all that had to be done after we got back from the beach but it was still a lovely reprieve not having to do it in that moment.  There's something to be said about procrastinating!  LOL!

Anyway... we had a lovely time with our good friends.  And the surf was still quite busy at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

There was lots of running and jumping to be done as soon as we hit the sand...

And then we discovered the new Baywatch team on Bribie!  bwahahaha! 

Does anyone need rescuing?  Anyone....? (insert some more chirping crickets here!!)

Nope.  They're good.  No rescuing needed here..

And probably not here either!!  Bwahahaha!  But boy does this boy crack me up with his "posing"!!!!!

Thanks for visiting. Hope you have a lovely weekend...x

Create + Pretty Little Studio...

Hello Friends.  It is getting to be that busy time of year.  The time when schools go into over drive regarding end of year concerts, end of year break up parties and end of year chaos!  :)

The older the kids get (plus the addition of having more children at school!) tends to increase the work load which is expected at home.  Costumes are to be readied - ballet/jazz/rock eisteddfod/Arts night... Props to be organised - prep/ballet... Baking to start - birthdays/school projects...  And I'm not complaining.  Because I love being involved with what the kids do, both in and out of school.  I'm merely documenting the workload... IYKWIM! ;)

At the moment it's a battle between the "need to do" list, and the "want to do" list! hee hee... That first list is feeling rather large....  I have so many little (and big) projects on the go at the moment.  I'm sort of stuck in exhaustion mode.  LOL!

But anyway.. Today I want to share with you my project over at Pretty Little Studio.  It is another sketch challenge but I love the way my layout turned out... (maybe it has more to do with the journaling opportunity than the whole overall look! Because it is kinda blue looking!! But not IRL!!)

[You & Me]

products used: cs - bazzill; pp - Pretty Little Studio (Antique Store collection); alphas - American Crafts vinyl thickers, October Afternoon; other - string, PLS: journal cards, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Tim Holtz ink, black pen (sharpie).

photo credit: Brock Beazley photography

I had to throw in a banner there at the bottom.  I love how it creates a festive or celebratory feel to the layout.  Especially in regards to the journaling...

Thanks for visiting...x

Create + DT call...

Hi Everyone.  It time for the new sketch reveal over at Sketchabilities! And if you wanted a challenge for scrapping multiple photos on a layout, then this fortnight is the place to visit!  Check out Karan's new sketch...

[Water Fight]

products used: cs - DCWV, Stampin' Up; alpha - October Afternoon; other - machine stitching, Tim Holtz ink, versacolor ink, foam tape, black pen (sharpie), fiskars circle template.

I love that I got to scrap these photos so quickly!  They are from our camping trip, in early October.  The water was freezing cold.  No.  It was actually ridiculously cold.  All the kids wanted to go swimming but no-one wanted to go in the water.  LOL!  I think it was one of the adults that started the water fight... Mark probably!   hee hee.. But the kids soon got involved and then it was just Tahlia and our camping buddy Liam R (note: not her brother Liam!). 

In the end Liam just picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and dunked Tahlia in the water!!
 

And then there were fireworks!!  LOL!!  Meanwhile... all of us (supposed) grown-ups were rolling on the ground with laughter!! Definitely a good day.  Well... for most of us!!

Sooo... If you would like to have a good day as well, head on over to Sketchabilities and give this sketch challenge a go.  And while you are there check out the details for Karan's new DT Call.  This is a such a fun place to visit and you will create some wonderful layouts.  Don't be shy.  Submit your entry now.  Good luck..x

Create with Get Picky...

Hello Friends.  I hope you all had a lovely week-end.  Mine was filled with nine year old boys playing x-box!! LOL!

Today I want to share with you my layout created from this Get Picky sketch...

Hmmm... Do you see that.  More round things!  LOL!! I think circles really must be the "in" thing at the moment.  Have I mentioned that before??? hee hee..

Here's my layout:

 [Simple Things]

products used: pp - Bo Bunny; alphas - Basic Grey, Adorn It; other - paper clip, tulle, machine stitching, black & green pen, mist, textured paste.

Straight from the sketch to paper with the exception of NO round photos! ;)

 

I have to admit I was totally inspired by the lovely Julie Winks. And who else do you know that can ROK circles like she does? Well... The DT at Get Picky did a pretty amazing job too!  You should go and enter your interpretation of the sketch because there's a fabulous prize up for grabs.  

Our November sponsor is Australian flower manufacturer, Manor House Creations and we have a beautiful prize containing 5 packs of flowers for our sketch challenge winner.  BUT please remember that this challenge site is for MULTI-PHOTO layouts! :)  Entering a layout with more than one photo will take you a long way towards possibly winning the prize.

Good luck....x

Happy Birthday Liam!

We are so proud of our big boy!! 

Today, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 2011, he turns nine years old!  He thinks he may have a very lucky day today!  And I think he may be right.  After all... this week has been very good to him already - in a non-birthday related way!  Goodness knows what adventures and opportunities will open up for him in the coming year!

Earlier this week Liam received the coveted school award "Aussie of the Month".  Wow!  Two brothers have been given this award in the four short months it has been in operation! They are the only siblings thus far to share the award.  A huge achievement in a school of 1200+ kids!  And for the month of November, Liam was THE only boy on stage!  Even the school Principal told him (and everyone else) on parade, that Liam was having a fantastic week! ;)

We are so blessed to have this young man in our lives.  We love you very much Liam.....x

Create + Share...

Hello Friends.  I'm back with another crafty share today.  AND..... It is Christmas themed!! YIKES!!  Did you know that it is only SIX weeks until Christmas! sheesh!!

Any way.... Now is the perfect time to get last year's photos scrapped. (or if you are anything like me!... photos from 2009!! LOL!)  Hee hee...

Pretty Little Studio has an amazing Christmas/Holiday collection.  It is so sweet!  So sweet in fact, that Studio Calico and Ali Edwards, have picked up some pieces for Ali's current December Daily!!  Very exciting for PLS!

So here is what I have created for this week's reveal....

[Decorating the Tree]

 products used: cs - Stampin' Up; pp - PLS: Jingle Bells collection; other - PLS: Document Christmas paper ribbons, Peppermint Journaling cards, Train Ticket cards, vintage tags; buttons; stamps: Kaisercraft, Darkroom Door; string; machine stitching; glimmermist; Tim Holtz distress ink; ribbon.

 

I know I am putting some of these items aside for my own DDaily.  I can't wait until I actually find the time to pull it all together!  tick, tick, tick.... yep.  I know.... I'm running out of time!  Wish me luck!! ..x

Scrapboxx create...

Once again it is time to share some layouts that were created for The Boxx newsletter using the September and October Boxx of Scraps. 

The wonderfully talented Gina put together September's BOS using plenty of Authentique and My Mind's Eye papers. Yummmmm!

[Blissful]

[Father's Day]

And I got to put together October's BOS. (There is only one kit left in the shop... so be quick if you want it! ;D ...)

[The most delightful kind of wonderful]

[Hula]

Don't you just love those Manor House  flowers!!!

I still have plenty of product left over from both kits but I have also made use of the packaging as well!  I just can't let anything go to waste! hee hee... Especially when it is all so pretty. :D

Thanks for visiting...x